AVIAN FLU Farmers cautious after outbreak

The H7 strain of avian flu isn't new to East Coast farmers.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- After dealing with avian influenza almost 20 years ago, the recent outbreak of the disease on two Delaware farms has Rick Bailey playing it safe -- even though his farm is some 150 miles away.
Farmers and agriculture officials in neighboring states are taking precautions to prevent the spread of avian flu. Although the strain identified in Delaware is not harmful to humans, infected flocks are being destroyed to avoid potential widespread damage to the poultry industry.
"I actually got a notice Monday from my contract people about the possible outbreak, and we go on high alert," said Bailey, whose farm is near Winfield in central Pennsylvania. "We put foot baths out now -- before you enter the chicken houses, you step into a pan to disinfect. We're more central here, but I would think from Lancaster County down they'd be even more cautious."
Flocks in Delaware's southern Sussex County have tested positive for the H7 strain of avian flu, which is not the same strain that has spread to humans in Asia, killing at least 18 people.
Previous outbreak
The disease isn't new to East Coast farmers. Several Eastern states were affected by an avian flu outbreak that began in late 2001 and lasted well into 2002, costing more than $140 million.
More than 4.7 million birds were destroyed in Virginia, where the disease was found on almost 200 farms in six counties; the disease also was found in three North Carolina counties and in Pennsylvania, where 170,000 birds were destroyed. Pennsylvania and New Jersey lost millions of birds during outbreaks in the 1980s.
Vehicles, humans and animals can track or transport the disease from an infected area to a previously clean flock.
So far, the disease has not been identified outside of Delaware, and that state already has taken protective measures, quarantining about 80 farms within a six-mile radius of the infected flocks.
Precautions
But neighboring states already are taking steps they hope will prevent the disease from spreading:
UOfficials in Pennsylvania and Virginia are asking farmers to enforce biosecurity measures, such as foot baths and truck and tire cleaners, and to pay special attention to their birds.
UMaryland has shut down the poultry auction at Westminster, canceled farmers meetings and crop insurance workshops on Delmarva (the peninsula containing Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) and asked that sales of farm equipment and auctions be canceled.
UNew Jersey has banned the importation of poultry manure from Delmarva, which crop farmers use for fertilizer, said Hope Gruzlovic, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
Biosecurity
"During an outbreak like this, we do remind people that their biggest ability to prevent this particular disease is the biosecurity issues," said John I. Enck, Pennsylvania's state veterinarian. "But if they're seeing anything abnormal, we recommend that we get samples right away. If they're seeing abnormal changes in production or mortality, then they need to do additional testing.
"You may see coughing, sneezing. It's influenza -- respiratory disease."
Elaine Lidholm, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said her state has paid special attention to biosecurity measures ever since the 2002 outbreak in the Shenandoah Valley.
"We have had discussions with the poultry companies, the poultry federation and our own people to remind them of the importance of biosecurity," Lidholm said. "We've been doing that for more than two years, ever since we had our own outbreak of avian influenza. We have not let up hammering home on the importance of biosecurity since then."